Children's Manor Montessori School | Empowering Independence: A Montessori Approach to Mealtime Success https://childrensmagnet.com Opening Doors to a World of Knowledge Tue, 19 Mar 2024 20:14:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://childrensmagnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/cropped-Childrens-Manor-Crest-1-32x32.png Children's Manor Montessori School | Empowering Independence: A Montessori Approach to Mealtime Success https://childrensmagnet.com 32 32 Empowering Independence: A Montessori Approach to Mealtime Success https://childrensmagnet.com/montessori-mealtime-approach/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=montessori-mealtime-approach Tue, 19 Mar 2024 20:11:50 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=13360 We have curated a Montessori guide to make meals easier and more enjoyable for you and your family. Try mealtime the Montessori-way!

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We know how stressful mealtimes can be, and we have curated a Montessori guide to make meals easier and more enjoyable for you and your family! Mealtimes happen every day in a variety of settings and are integral to a child’s adaptation to the world around them. The way a child views food and meals can make a considerable impact on both their physical and emotional development. As a parent, you can implement Montessori practices at home by following our Montessori at Mealtime guidelines.

The Montessori approach to mealtimes works to set the child up for success early and to build healthy habits from the start. Mealtimes are an important, daily, occasion where great attention can be paid to creating both a beautiful and functional setting, and in allowing a child to participate in both preparing and cleaning up after the meal. Families can set children up for success by creating a prepared environment for them in the kitchen so they can safely join into the cooking and cleaning process.

Nourishing our Bodies and Minds

To start the discussion about food, it helps when children understand why we eat in the first place and what the purpose of eating is. Teaching your child why we eat is the first step toward a Montessori approach during mealtime or snacks: we share that food is necessary for our survival to give us energy to complete our day and power our body. In order to function properly, we must eat food that will give us the ‘fuel’ and energy to control our body’s various systems like thinking, digesting, breathing, pumping blood, and so on.

Food and Language

As a Montessori school we emphasize to our students the importance of not placing food into “good” or “bad” categories: different foods do different things and it’s important to have a variety of different foods to stay healthy. For example, we don’t say that cookies are ‘bad’, we simply explain that cookies give our bodies quick energy through the sugar and starch, but that the energy doesn’t last long. 

We also feel it is important to never criticize a child’s portion sizes or them responding to their body’s hunger by eating more food on some days and less on others. By allowing your child to self-regulate, they will stop eating when they have had enough, making food much more enjoyable and leading to a healthy relationship with food.  We encourage families to practice using clear language with your child during meals like:

        • Is your tummy telling you that it is full?
        • Would you care for more chicken?  Chicken has protein which makes our muscles stronger. 
        • How does the pasta taste? Do you like the green color of the pesto?
        • How do you feel before you eat dinner? What does being hungry feel like?

Mealtime is also an opportunity to practice math and language skills at home. You can ask your child how many plates are needed if there are 5 people eating dinner. If they are too young to count, there is an opportunity for some practical life skills such as setting the plates on the table and then following by setting up the napkin and silverware at each place setting. Something as simple as this can help a child feel part of the mealtime process and can serve as a foundation for future mathematical concepts and sequences. 

During the meal, it can be fun to point out the sensorial experiences of the food – drawing attention to the different textures, flavors, and colors on the plate! Showing your child the difference between a cooked piece of broccoli and a raw piece can introduce your child to the concept of cause and effect. While we don’t encourage participation in the ‘clean plate club’ (as we want students to learn to listen to their body’s cues), we do encourage exploration and ask students to try different flavors or combinations that might be new to them – they never know what they’ll discover they like! 

Prepared Environment in the Kitchen

Montessori classrooms are assembled based on the philosophy of the “prepared environment.” This environment is strategically designed to accommodate the learning needs of children and to appeal to their senses. Everything required for learning is placed at the child’s eye-level and separated by subject area. By doing this, we set up children for success, because learning is now readily accessible on their own terms and on their own level. This same philosophy can also be applied to mealtime and cooking with your child: for your child to be successful in the kitchen, the environment must be well prepared for a child to interact with it. 

Montessori philosophy also emphasizes the importance of real life experiences for learning. We encourage letting your child use adult plates, silverware, and cups to eat their dinner so they feel included in the family meal. As you prepare the food, foster your child’s interest in cooking by adapting the activity to their skill set. For example, allow your child to try chopping a banana with a dull butter knife or child’s knife to show them the steps required in food preparation.  Even if there is a chance of your child making a mess or a mistake, this messy learning process allows children to practice completing the task successfully, preparing them for future independence.

Small steps to include your child throughout the process begins to teach them what is needed and how to prepare their own food, an important life skill when they need to eat in the future.  Some simples tasks your child can work on that also help improve fine motor skills are:

        • Washing fruits and vegetables
        • Peeling clementines
        • Spreading butter or jam on bread
        • Grinding coffee with a crank grinder
        • Kneading dough
        • Smashing avocados
        • Pressing tortillas
        • Chopping a soft fruit with a child-safe knife

Sharing a Meal as a Family

Sharing a meal as a family provides an opportunity for your children to learn from you as their guide. Family meals are a great time to enhance your child’s vocabulary and imagination with dinner-time-discussions. Start by asking your child to explain their day and what happened to them while you were apart: a prompt such as ‘what was your favorite thing that happened today? or ‘did anything happen that surprised you today?’ can help to draw them out and get conversation flowing. Then, share the experience of your own day with your child, trying to introduce new words and ideas to your child. 

Packing a Montessori-Inspired Lunch

Did you know you can even incorporate Montessori philosophies into your lunch-making! Allow your child to be your sous chef by having them cut up a part of their lunch, practice opening and closing their lunch Tupperware, letting them choose new foods to try, and sharing with your child the story of where their food came from. We can also use this time to educate our children on food groups and what can make a balanced lunch. Share the benefits of having a variety of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats and pack something from each category. Packing small amounts of several different foods increases decision-making skills and autonomy over your child’s “inner-prepared environment,” the safe space they create for themselves.

Celebrating Cultures Through Food

Montessori education places a strong emphasis on cultural experiences and celebrating diverse influences in the classroom. Our children are encouraged to explore and learn about different cultures through our work as well as through the lived experiences of their classmates and teachers. Through our Montessori Links Curriculum, children are exposed to global perspectives and learn to respect and value the different cultures that surround their world. 

This global appreciation can be further developed by encouraging students to explore food and cuisines from cultures all over the world. Letting your child experience different food combinations, textures, flavors, smells, and composition of food will broaden your child’s horizons and provide an opportunity to encourage adventurous eating. Not only is food an important way to nourish your body, it can be a fun opportunity to learn the customs and traditions from other cultures as it relates to their foods and manners surrounding their mealtimes.

Clean up Together!

We believe that anyone who was part of the meal is responsible to do their part in cleaning up! Encourage this behavior at home by having your child bring their plate to the counter and (if age appropriate) helping load the dishwasher.  You can even set up your own “dish-washing station” for your child with two plastic bins, soapy water, towel, gloves, and a drying area. Start by having your child watch your dishwashing demonstration and use clear language to describe your process when washing the dishes. Then, have your child show you how to wash the dishes after your demonstration; finally, you can wash the dishes side-by-side. Remember to be patient with your child as their motor and critical thinking skills are still being formed, but taking small steps to include your child in daily tasks at a young age will refine their cognitive skills and build their confidence as they grow.

Ultimately, a meal is about more than just eating – the experience and time together is just as valuable as the meal itself. With many families increasingly busy with work, school and extracurricular activities, it’s important to take advantage of these moments together, whether it is over dinner during the week or while having breakfast together on Saturday morning. We encourage all families to take the opportunity to bond with your child and learn about their daily life while you are apart, just as they wish to do the same with you.

If you are interested in learning more about the Montessori Approach, join us for our next Montessori Monday virtual information session or schedule a Tour to learn more today!

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Celebrating Black History Month 2024 https://childrensmagnet.com/celebrating-blackhistory-month-2024/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=celebrating-blackhistory-month-2024 Mon, 18 Mar 2024 15:01:47 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=13195 In celebration of Black History Month, our students are focusing on Black Heroes & Inventors. Here, we’ve showcased some of the work our students have done during the month of February.

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In our Montessori classrooms, we mirror Maria Montessori’s passion for peace and understanding among diverse groups and value discussion on social reform inside of the classroom. Our Montessori classrooms include lessons and visual representations that introduce students to different countries and cultures, and various cultural events are celebrated throughout the year. Staff and students from different backgrounds are encouraged to share their customs and traditions. In celebration of Black History Month, our students are focusing on Black Heroes & Inventors. Below we’ve showcased some of the work our students have done during the month of February.

Rosa Parks

February 4th is Rosa Parks’ birthday, the Mother of the Freedom Movement who fought for equality through peaceful protesting. Students learned how Rosa didn’t give up her seat on the bus and how she persevered in the face of adversity and never waivered.

Harriet Tubman

The Underground Railroad was created by activist and abolitionist, Harriet Tubman, in an effort to lead her people out of slavery. A series of secret routes and safe houses offered shelter to African Americans escaping slavery in the south. Harriet led groups to freedom with her unwavering guidance and support by using the “drinking gourd,” aka the Big Dipper as their North star, guiding them to safety. Students drew their own guiding Big Dipper constellation in honor of Harriet’s dedication to her community and their safety.

Garrett Morgan

Students immersed themselves into the history of engineering by learning about a prominent inventor and businessman, Garrett Morgan. Morgan is most well-known for his creation of the three-light traffic signal! Using different colored paper and glue our students were able to create their own traffic lights in celebration of Morgan’s invention.

 Althea Gibson

Althea Gibson was an American tennis player and professional golfer. She was one of the African Americans to win a Grand Slam event in 1956 and then the following year she won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals. She is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame as well as the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame. She also became the first Black player to compete on the Women’s Professional Golf Tour.

Want to learn more about our Curriculum?

Discover the Montessori difference by booking a tour at any one of our 10 campuses across Maryland!

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Montessori Kids Holiday Gift Guide 2023 https://childrensmagnet.com/montessori-holiday-gift-guide-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=montessori-holiday-gift-guide-2023 Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:15:19 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12839 Don't miss our Montessori Gift Guide for 2022! We know finding the perfect gift for family during the holiday season can become overwhelming, and that’s why we are sharing these heartfelt gift ideas for you to create just in time for the holidays – and they are all Montessori friendly so you can bring the Montessori method into your home.

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 Montessori Holiday Gift Guide 2023 for kids ages 0 to 7 years old.

Give your child the gift of independence this Holiday season with these practical life-inspired Montessori activities! Each item in our Holiday guide will help your children grow in their focus and confidence by enhancing their sensory, motor, and cognitive skills while at home. These gifts are curated for children of all ages, from Infants, Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and Elementary students, to find gifts for every age group and skill set. For those looking to go gift-free this year, each item includes an adaptable “at home” option to fit every budget and individual setup.

Disclaimer: These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the below organizations and do not receive a commission for purchases made through these links. Additionally, parents should be reminded that children mature at different times, and should use their best judgment when it comes to age-appropriate activities for their child(ren).

Infants

BUSY BOARD

Busy Board

Give babies more credit, they know a lot more than we think!  More than just a hands-on toy, a “Busy Board” aids in developing a child’s pincer grip, fine motor skills, and allows them to explore common objects in their environment, in a controlled and safe way.  As you baby independently engages with these hands-on activities, they learn to focus their attention and build the ability to complete tasks on their own, fostering a sense of patience and accomplishment. Another benefit is that this toy is amazing for long car rides during the holiday season!

At Home Busy Board Activity

Grab an old book or piece of sturdy cardboard as the base for a busy board.  Consider its size based on available space and the child’s age.  Select a variety of components to engage different senses and promote fine motor skills!  You can use a zipper from a broken pair of pants, string or a bow leftover from a package, velcro, door stoppers, small mirrors, fabric squares, switches, buttons- the list goes on! Attach the components securely to the board and follow the instructions above for use. This activity can even be updated and adapted as your infant grows and masters new skills.

How To Use A Busy Board With Your Infant

      • Start by demonstrating each closure or object on the board; for instance, show them how to flip a switch, button a button, or unzip a zipper, pointing out each element and explaining what it does.
      • Encourage them to touch and feel each part!  Use simple and clear language, and be patient, allowing them to observe before trying it themselves! Encourage them to explore the board on their own, reminding them that they can choose which activities to engage with and for how long.
      • Discuss how each action has an effect, promoting cause-and-effect understanding (flipping a switch might turn on a light or make a noise).  This all helps reinforce the idea that they have an active part to play in their learning!

Toddlers

WOODEN BEADPASTA THREADING

Wooden Bead Threading

Introducing counting and hand-eye coordination to your toddler can easily be incorporated into daily activities using common items. A simple method such as threading wooden beads onto a string can aid in introducing the concept of counting and discerning between colors or objects pictured on the beads.  This activity develops fine motor skills as it requires precise hand-eye coordination and helps strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers (which is important for future writing).  It also encourages your toddler to concentrate on the task at hand, fostering a sense of focus and attention, and by navigating the beads through the string, their understanding of spatial relationships is also developed.  As with other independent activities, giving your toddler the opportunity to thread beads on their own allows them to preserve and learn to complete tasks autonomously, seeing the results of their efforts!

At Home Threading Activity

By using macaroni or penne pasta and leftover string, yarn, or twine, you can adapt this bead stringing activity to what you have at home!  Larger materials with larger holds and thicker strings are typically appropriate for toddler-age children, while older children can handle smaller sizes and more intricate threading.  Physically demonstrate how to thread the pasta onto a string using clear, slow movements and encourage them to take their time and enjoy the process rather than rushing to finish!  Use the same process as listed above, but instead of identifying the object on the bead, identify the pasta shape and explain how the pasta is hard before cooking it.  Once finished, boil the pasta and enjoy!

How To Do A Threading Activity With Your Toddler

      • Physically demonstrate how to thread beads onto a string.  Start by laying out all the beads and string on the floor or table and demonstrate how you pick up a bead, identify the color and/or object on the bead, and add it to the string.
      • Once a row of beads is completed, you can count along with the toddler and show them how to unthread the beads.  Acknowledge that threading beads requires patience, and it’s okay for them to take their time.  Explain that the process is just as important as the end result. 
      • Integrate this activity as a quiet, focused activity that can be done during designated times or offer it as a creative outlet, allowing your toddler to create their own patterns and designs!

Pre-Primary | Ages 2-3.5

PLAY SINK

Play Sink and Dishes

The Holiday season is the perfect time of year to get your children involved in the kitchen!  Perfect for preschool ages, your child will be able to mimic the real-world task of cleaning dishes alongside you and learn a practical life activity using materials such as soap, sponges, and scouring tools to clean. Not only will this teach your child about chores, responsibilities, and cleaning, but this will also aid in hand-eye coordination as well as fine motor skills. The sink features running water, so the dishes can get cleaned!  You can also incorporate the science experiment: “Sink or Float,” by engaging children in scientific principles of buoyancy.

At Home Dish Washing Station Activity

You can easily do this activity without a specific play sink by setting up a basin of water, sponge, soap, and reusable towel next to the kitchen sink with a step stool to be at the same height level.  While washing your dishes, show children in steps how to apply soap to the sponge, wash the dishes, rinse them off, dry, and put away.  The “Sink or Float” activity can also be introduced to your child during bath time or while doing the dishes!

How To Do A Dishwashing Activity With Your Child

      • Set up the sink and provide children with either plastic or ceramic dishes and utensils, depending upon the child’s age.  Demonstrate how to add soap to a wet sponge and the motions required to clean dishes thoroughly. 
      • Once the dishes are cleaned and rinsed, show how to dry them using a reusable or microfiber cloth and if appropriate, show them how to properly place the dishes back where they belong.  You can also use the sink as a designated area for handwashing before meals or after messy activities. 
      • Remember to also show how to care for their environment by tidying up the play sink after use.  Celebrate the small achievements and progress made after each step!
      • If you want to integrate the “Sink or Float” activity using the sink, you child can help acquire a variety of objects with different shapes and sizes (some that float and some that sink).  Have children hypothesize which items will sink or float based on their observations.  This will promote critical thinking and verbal expression.  

Primary | Ages 3.5-5

CHILD KNIFE SET

Children’s Kitchen Knife Set

Montessori education consistently encourages the practical life skills that encompass daily tasks to help children of all ages develop independence, coordination, and responsibility!  A children’s kitchen knife set is a purposeful tool that is designed to promote safe and age-appropriate engagement in cooking and food preparation – great for all the meal preparation this holiday season!  By involving children in the kitchen, you can foster the progression of fine motor skills, size discrimination and spatial relation recognition, and set them up for future success in cooking their own meals.  Using a knife requires precision and control, contributing to the skills crucial for future tasks like writing and self-care!  These children’s knife sets are specifically designed with safety in mind, with rounded tips, ergonomic and non-slip handles, and age-appropriate materials that make them suitable for young learners.  Being part of the food preparation process also allows children to explore different textures, smells, and tastes of various foods, which will enhance sensory experiences and can lead to more adventurous eating habits.

At Home Cooking Activity

With guided supervision, gather a butter knife, cutting board, and a simple snack (such as a soft banana) for children to cut. Show them the setup process before starting to prep your snack or meal.  Follow the steps below to practice chopping skills, providing support to ensure safe and appropriate use of the tools.  Introduce any gadgets gradually and for short periods of time to ensure safe usage, which will help children build confidence and competence.  Children can help scoop ice cream, core an apple, and peel potatoes.  Involving children in food preparation promotes a positive attitude towards food and encourages healthy eating habits!

How To Do An At Home Cooking Activity With Your Child

      • While prepping vegetables or fruit for a recipe, set aside a food item like a carrot or strawberry for children to cut. This can be a helpful opening for a quick safety discussion about sharp objects, and only using kitchen tools with an adult’s assistance. 
      • You can then provide them with a cutting board and teach them the proper way to hold the child-safe knife and where to store them after use. 
      • Using the hand-over-hand method shows children how to cut the object by holding one end for support and using the other to make cuts.
      • When cutting is completed, demonstrate how to properly and carefully clean their knife.  

Elementary | Ages 5-7

ABSTRACT ART

Abstract Art Puzzle & LCD Drawing Board

Explore creativity with Kindergartener through their very own “Picasso” puzzle!  Each combination of features makes a new face and allows children to develop individuality, imagination, and critical thinking skills.  There are no “right” or “wrong” ways to solve this puzzle, allowing children to express themselves freely.  Manipulating the puzzle pieces will challenge children’s dexterity, while enhancing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

In addition to puzzles, an erasable drawing pad can serve as a canvas for children to unleash their creativity!  You can discuss the completed drawings together, which fosters dialogue about ideas and story telling.  Using the drawing board involves fine motor control as children manipulate either the stylus or their fingers: this provides a sensory experience as children feel the pressure-sensitive surface respond to their touch.  You can encourage them to freely create, erase, and recreate, promoting a sense of autonomy.  The reusable eco-friendly nature of these drawing boards allows you to eliminate the need for paper and reduces waste.

Abstract Cubist Face Activity

Make a cubist Picasso face at home by following this free tutorial.  Use plain computer paper or reuse some cardboard packaging, with colored markers, colored pencils, watercolors, and/or crayons by drawing (or cutting) an abstract face shape as your base. Bisect the face with a curvy line for the nose area and finish the face off with a mouth, eyes, eyebrows, and ears to add personality.  Encourage children to create abstract designs on each piece.  Emphasize that there are no specific guidelines, and they can use colors and shapes freely.  They can also cut-out shapes from colored paper and adhere the shapes to the puzzle base using child-friendly glue.  Consider incorporating natural elements into the abstract art piece too by collecting leaves, flowers, or other outdoor materials to create various patterns and textures.  This activity prepares your Kindergarten-aged child for critical thinking and abstraction as they progress through Elementary school and beyond. 

How To Use An Abstract Face Puzzle With Your Child

      • Consider introducing your children to art and its history by laying out the puzzle pieces and showing your child different famous artworks from Picasso, Monet, Van Gogh, and more. 
      • Encourage children to demonstrate self expression and have them start by making a “self portrait.”  From there, you can introduce abstraction by showing how the different pieces can be used for different facial features. 
      • We encourage parents to appreciate the uniqueness of each creation, reinforcing the value of individuality and celebrating the process rather than seeking a particular end result. 
      • If age appropriate, have students write a brief description of their portrait on their LCD pad and have them read it back to you!

Thank you for joining us on this Montessori-inspired journey through thoughtful gift ideas.  We hope this guide has provided you with inspiration and insights into selecting active gifts that align with the principles of a Montessori education as well as ways to integrate these activities into your home and daily routines.  Remember, the essence of Montessori lies not in specific materials, but in the meaningful connections and experiences we create for our children.  Every gift represents an opportunity for shared discovery, exploration, and developing the joy of lifelong learning!   

If you are interested in learning more about Montessori education or school life at CMMS, please click the link below to book a tour. The New Year is right around the corner, don’t wait!

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Fall Fest Roundup 2023 https://childrensmagnet.com/fall-fest-roundup-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fall-fest-roundup-2023 Fri, 03 Nov 2023 16:00:09 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12794 This Fall, CMMS engaged both current and prospective families at our Fall Fest Events across each of our schools to provide the opportunity for the community to spend time together.

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We had an amazing time celebrating our CMMS community and families with a series of Fall events across each of our locations. Current families enjoyed spending time participating in a variety of fall activities – all with a Montessori twist! 

Families gathered for a combination of fall-themed snacks, hands-on activities, and take-home arts and crafts. Rockville, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Columbia, and Forest Hill locations hosted impressive Trunk or Treat events where parent volunteers decorated their cars (and themselves, too!), and CMMS Bel Air even had a moon bounce for students to enjoy! At every school, our CMMS students impressed us with their wide array of unique costumes such as pirates, princesses, dinosaurs, sharks, superheroes, police officers, and more!

While CMMS staff and family volunteers helped serve cotton candy, popcorn, and apple cider, food trucks further enhanced our Fall events by providing a variety of additional concessions for attendees. Thank you to Los Antojitos, Sno Blast DMV, and Fly Pizza for supporting CMMS and keeping our stomachs full!

Most importantly, we would like to extend a huge thank you to the families, staff, and vendors who worked together to make these community events so enjoyable for our CMMS students and families. It was truly special to witness our families spending time together and building relationships as we kick off our 30th year of supporting and educating young students.

Stay tuned for additional parent engagement opportunities and events, and make sure to check out our Fall Events Recap Reel!

Want to learn more about our schools?

Contact any one of our 10 locations across Maryland to schedule an in-person tour. You can also schedule a virtual tour by clicking the button below.

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How We Prepare Our Students For Elementary Learning & Beyond https://childrensmagnet.com/how-we-prepare-our-students-for-elementary-school-and-beyond/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-we-prepare-our-students-for-elementary-school-and-beyond Fri, 25 Aug 2023 19:35:44 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12656 We’re sharing our expertise on signs of toilet-readiness and tips for setting up a child-friendly bathroom. Additionally, we will discuss the important role adults play in their child’s potty training progression, how to handle accidents with patience and reassurance, and language for successful (and shame free!) toilet-training.

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A Montessori education emphasizes fostering independence, curiosity, and an intrinsic love for learning. Our experienced educators at Children’s Manor & Magnet Montessori Schools believe in nurturing each child’s unique potential by providing an academically rigorous, engaging, and supportive learning environment. Staying in a Montessori school through the early Elementary years offers numerous advantages that contribute to a child’s holistic development, providing a solid foundation with practical applications for their future. Below, we will take you through a few notable advantages of Montessori Education through Kindergarten and Elementary school.

Continuity of the Environment

Montessori education is designed to be a seamless progression from the early years to elementary education. By staying in a Montessori environment, your child will thrive in a consistent child-centered approach to learning. Students are already accustomed to the Montessori classroom, materials, and routines, which enables them to focus more on their learning and social interactions. The familiarity with teachers, who provide consistent teaching methods, allows a student to build upon the foundational knowledge and skills they acquired in earlier years.  This continuity helps maintain a child’s enthusiasm for learning and prevents disruptions that otherwise occur when transitioning to a new/different educational system. 

 

At CMMS, our students generally will be in a classroom for 1 to 2 years with the same teachers as they learn and grow: this allows the teacher to really get to know and work directly with and for the needs of a child, as well as provide parents with ongoing feedback on their continued growth and development, as well as things to work on at home.

Individualized Support

The setup and routine in a Montessori classroom caters to individual learning styles, allowing students to progress at their own pace and work on tasks that align with their abilities. Benefits of students remaining in Montessori through Kindergarten are that students can continue to deeply explore subjects of interest and receive personalized guidance from teachers. The smaller class sizes with lower teacher to student ratios further allows students to work ahead or receive additional support as needed on various subjects. 

In Kindergarten and Elementary classrooms, Montessori educators continue to act as facilitators, guiding the students through their learning journey and providing them with the necessary tools to explore and discover. This approach ensures that each student is appropriately challenged and supported, fostering a love for learning and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.  To ensure students are on track and meeting state standards, Montessori Teachers monitor the individual growth of all students and keep detailed records of how a child is progressing in their learning in each of the Montessori areas of Practical Life, Mathematics, Sensorial, Language, and Cultural Studies. This creates well-rounded students that have depth and breadth of knowledge, preparing them not only academically, but also socially and emotionally.

Science-Backed Research

At CMMS, our comprehensive curriculum leads to superior outcomes, as students receive not only targeted support and academic lessons, but also participate in our ongoing Enrichment Programs  – including Music, Spanish, Computer Science, and Yoga. Research has shown that Montessori students often perform at least one grade level above their public school peers, which can be attributed to Montessori education’s emphasis on self-directed learning, hands-on experiences, and individualized instruction. 

Graduates of Montessori programs also tend to demonstrate strong executive functioning skills, which are crucial for success both in academic pursuits and daily life. In 2021, researchers at the University of Virginia found that adults who spent at least two years in a Montessori school as a student reported a higher sense of well-being than people who never experienced the Montessori environment.

Did You Know That These Famous Figures Attended Montessori Schools?

  • Jeff Bezos – Amazon Founder
  • Steph Curry – NBA MVP
  • Larry Page & Sergey Brin – Google Founder
  • Joshua Bell – Grammy Award Winning Violinist and Conductor
  • Anne Frank – Author/Diarist
  • Julia Child – Chef, Author, TV Personality
  • and many more!

Montessori Curriculum

CMMS’ proprietary Montessori Links curriculum integrates the five Montessori learning areas (Practical Life, Sensorial, Language, Mathematics, and Cultural Studies) with interdisciplinary connections in STEM, Character Development, Continent Study, and Author & Arts Study, while meeting and exceeding the academic standards set by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). 

Practice life activities focus on developing everyday life skills such as pouring, buttoning, tying shoelaces, and cleaning. These activities not only cultivate independence and self-confidence but also improve fine and gross motor skills and a student’s sense of order. The sensorial area aims to refine the senses through activities that explore size, shape, texture, sound, taste, and smell. By building on and expanding these concepts through Montessori Elementary classes, students continue to engage in sensorial experiences that enhance their ability to discriminate and perceive the world around them accurately.

Montessori language materials progress from phonetic awareness to reading and writing. Students learn through a multisensory approach that includes sandpaper letters, a moveable alphabet, and reading materials. This allows children to further develop their language skills, expand their vocabulary, and become confident and expressive communicators. 

Similarly, hands-on Montessori mathematics materials introduce concepts concretely before moving to abstract ideas. Students use manipulative materials to understand operations, place value, and geometry. The Montessori cultural studies area covers a wide range of subjects, including geography, history, science, and art. Taking a global perspective, Montessori students explore various cultures, historical events, and scientific phenomena, enriching a sense of international awareness and interconnectedness. 

Are You Ready To Learn More?

The continuity of the Montessori approach stimulates critical thinking and strong social-emotional skills, contributing to a well-rounded and confident learner. As you are looking for the school and learning approach that is the best match for your child, consider starting and continuing them in a Montessori environment to promote a consistent and individualized learning experience that supports the development of independence in practical life, sensory perception, effective language and communication skills, mathematical understanding, and cultural appreciation.  Let us help you get your child ready for Elementary & Beyond – Schedule A Tour with us!

Schedule A Tour!

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Is Your Child Ready for Toilet Training? Tips from Montessori Experts https://childrensmagnet.com/is-your-child-ready-for-toilet-training-tips/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-your-child-ready-for-toilet-training-tips Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:56:36 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12551 We’re sharing our expertise on signs of toilet-readiness and tips for setting up a child-friendly bathroom. Additionally, we will discuss the important role adults play in their child’s potty training progression, how to handle accidents with patience and reassurance, and language for successful (and shame free!) toilet-training.

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Discover a seamless approach to supporting an exciting milestone in your child’s development with our Montessori approach to toilet training!

In Montessori settings, we prefer to use language such as toilet-learning or toilet-training rather than potty-training because rather than being a singular task that can be associated with shame or rewards and punishments, toilet-learning follows the progression of a child’s natural interest in understanding how their body works and building their independence towards learning this practical life skill. 

We’re sharing our expertise on signs of toilet-readiness and tips for setting up a child-friendly bathroom. Additionally, we will discuss the important role adults play in their child’s toilet-training progression, how to handle accidents with patience and reassurance, and language for successful (and shame free!) toilet-training. 

Assessing Your Child’s Toilet-Readiness

To help you navigate this exciting milestone with your child, here are some cues that you can be on the lookout for that indicate your child may be ready to start the toilet-training process! 

    1. Curiosity Awakens: Have you noticed your child being fascinated by others’ use of the toilet, asking questions about the process, or wanting to mimic the process? A child’s natural curiosity leads them to show interest in what others are doing, and this includes time in the bathroom.
    2. Dry Diaper: Keep an eye out for your child to maintain a dry diaper for several hours at a time or if their diaper remains dry after a nap or first thing in the morning.
    3. Announcements: Listen out for your child’s announcement that they are ready to use the toilet! Whether they’re giving you a heads-up before going, announcing that they have gone, or sharing their recent toilet experience, recognizing and responding to their body’s cues are important to note.
    4. Removal of Clothing: Notice if your child is able to independently remove their clothing, particularly their shorts/pants and underwear, as this is an important requirement for successful and independent toileting. 

Once your child shows interest in using the toilet, you should plan to set up a child-friendly bathroom to maximize their independence and limit the stress that may be associated with using the bathroom.

Here are some tips for this space:
    1. Central Location: While it may not seem convenient initially, keep their child-sized, moveable toilet in the bathroom instead of frequently relocating it within your home. This way, your child can always find it whenever needed and can visit it regularly.  You can also choose to use a smaller seat insert placed on top of the toilet seat so that your child becomes accustomed from the beginning to stepping up and using the regular toilet. 
    2. Clothing Organization: Have a bucket ready in the bathroom for a child to place any wet clothing into, as well as paper towels or cloths to clean up any accidents, and fresh clean clothing to change into as needed.  Accidents are bound to happen throughout this process and by organizing piles of clean clothing and wet clothing, you can help your child grasp the significance of promptly changing into clean clothes after accidents. This also promotes their understanding of personal hygiene and cleaning up after themselves. 
    3. Getting Dressed: When selecting your child’s daily clothing, prioritize garments that they can easily put on by themselves and pull up and down.  Summer months make this easier as tight pants, jeans with buttons, and layered dresses can be avoided; we recommend shorts with an elastic waist or dresses which are easier and faster for children to both remove and put on themselves. 

By  making simple adjustments in their bathroom setup and routine, your child will begin to learn their own toilet-training schedule and needs.

The Adult’s Role

The adult’s role in a child’s toilet-training is to support the child in the process of learning to use the toilet but it’s important not to become emotionally involved. You can:

    1. Build Confidence: Build your child’s confidence and independence  by providing aids like a foot-stool to help them comfortably reach and use the toilet and sink. 
    2. Establish a Routine: Incorporate toilet time into your child’s daily routine, such as upon waking up, before leaving the house, or before naptime.  A consistent routine and the opportunity to frequently practice  will help your child more quickly build their skills and comfortable level with this process.
    3. Practice, Practice, Practice: Instead of asking if your child needs to use the toilet, make it an ongoing opportunity to try.  For example, instead of saying ‘Do you need to go potty?’ you can say ‘In 2 minutes we’re going to clean up and go to the bathroom before we go to the park’.  This shift helps avoid power struggles and incorporates frequent visits to the bathroom as a regular part of the routine. 

 

Maintaining consistency in ownership,  as well as establishing a cohesive routine between home and school, play a crucial role in your child’s independent toilet training. The phrases below are key for successful toilet training as they reinforce consistent language and routines, furthering your child’s understanding and progress in this important milestone. 

4. Avoid Force: Never physically drag or force your child to use the toilet, as it can create anxiety or even resistance; when a child begins refusing to use the potty it can lead to discomfort and potential infections. Allow your child to progress at their own pace to avoid regression and refusal of using the toilet entirely.

5. Balance Feedback: While it is natural to feel excited, it is more beneficial to stay calm and supportive – we want to praise the process as much as the end result. Treat using the toilet as a normal activity and refrain from scolding or excessive congratulation. For example, even if a child has an accident, if they recognized that they needed to use the bathroom but didn’t quite make it in time, you can praise that they listened to their body and that we’ll keep practicing to make it to the potty in time.  

6. Respect their Personal Development: There is no one specific age that is right for all children to begin or complete the toilet training process – following your child’s lead and working with them when they are ready will yield much smoother and faster results than trying to force them to be ready on an arbitrary timeline. 

7. Respect their Timing: Interrupting your child when they are in the middle of something else to use the toilet breaks their concentration and forces them to go when they might not want to, which can lead to resistance in using the potty. It is best to wait until they are finished with an activity before having them visit the bathroom.  

8. Maintain Patience: Remember that every child learns at their own pace and that just as it took multiple attempts over a period of time to learn to walk and run without falling, toilet training is a new skill that similarly requires lots of consistent practice to fully master. Patience is key in supporting a healthy toilet-training journey. 

How to Handle Accidents 

In the moments when your child doesn’t make it to the toilet on time, it is important to stay calm and provide reassurance to prevent any feelings of shame or fear.  You can say, “I see you are wet. Let’s get some clean clothes for you to change into.” 

To foster their independence, allow your child to change their wet clothes at their own pace and offer assistance if requested or if they feel overwhelmed. If you notice your child is preoccupied and unaware of any mess, clean up the accident without interrupting their activity, and wait until they are finished before suggesting a change of clothes. 

Temporary setbacks in toilet training may arise due to life changes such as the arrival of a younger sibling, moving to a new home or other family transitions, but these challenges often resolve themselves when adults maintain consistency and avoid making a big fuss.

Is Your Child Ready?

We hope you have a new-founded confidence in your ability to begin or continue your child’s toilet-training journey!  The Montessori approach of recognizing the small yet exciting cues of dry diapers, establishing a child-friendly bathroom, and supporting your child with reassurance, patience, and key phrases centered around a child’s growth and independence is beneficial to toilet-training.

We recommend that parents take advantage of the summer season when schedules are often more relaxed and children are wearing looser and easier-to-remove clothing to continue/reinforce their child’s toilet-training process so they are able to practice and develop a sense of confidence in this important life skill before returning to school in the Fall. 

While exploring this exciting and transformative process your child will experience, we invite you to check out how our other Montessori philosophies and curriculum relate to daily life skills and learn how Children’s Manor & Magnet Montessori Schools can positively impact your child’s education and future. You can learn more about CMMS & schedule a tour or visit us at an upcoming Open House Event.  We hope to connect soon! 

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Benefits of A Montessori Education In Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten https://childrensmagnet.com/preparing-your-child-for-kindergarten/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=preparing-your-child-for-kindergarten Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:17:20 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=10105 Beyond the basics of literacy and mathematics, Kindergarten readiness is a function of developing the whole child. Fostering independence, focusing on practical life skills, and advancing social/emotional maturity alongside academic preparedness will help your child thrive as they progress through their early educational years.

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Kindergarten, even for children who have attended preschool or daycare, is considered the official beginning of a child’s academic journey. Preparing your child for Kindergarten early on will help set them up for success in their crucial early educational years. As parents, we may tend to overemphasize the basics of literacy and mathematics, but it is important to recognize that Kindergarten readiness is a function of developing the whole child. Fostering independence, focusing on practical life skills, and advancing social/emotional maturity alongside academic preparedness will help your child thrive as they progress through school.

Fostering Independence

The Kindergarten environment will encourage your child to take ownership of their own education. To help your child foster independence, allow them to participate in household tasks such as clearing their own dishes, or putting on their own shoes without assistance.  If they struggle, give them the space to problem solve before interfering and doing it for them. It may take longer, and create a few messes, but their growth and perseverance is invaluable. 1

Practical Life

As their independence evolves, your child will be able to master practical life skills. Some of the primary skills that will be highlighted in the classroom are completing self care tasks as well as taking care of their surroundings. From putting on their own clothing to setting the table for dinner or caring for plants at home, your child should be learning to navigate their day without assistance. Beyond everyday tasks at home, you can give your child responsibility in a variety of ways, such as, filling up water bottles, bringing clothes to the laundry room, or feeding the family pet.2 All of these not only work on independence, but also fine motor skills. Try utilizing our age-appropriate routine cards to foster your child’s ownership over their responsibilities.

Social & Emotional Maturity

Kindergarten will bring your child into a whole new social circle filled with different personalities. Exposing your child to family, friends and neighbors while teaching them to play independently and cooperatively in their preschool years will be important to develop social maturity. Teaching your child to share toys or having meals with other children will be an important part of their social maturation as they prepare for Kindergarten.

Encourage emotional intelligence at home by helping your child identify their emotions as they express them. While it is tempting to minimize feelings of frustration, sadness, and anger, the acknowledgement of these feelings will avoid creating associations between these negative emotions and feeling ignored. Likewise, help your child identify the things that give them positive feelings in order to reinforce emotion recognition. The simplest approach to modeling emotional intelligence is to model self-regulation as a parent. For example, if frustration gets the best of you, take the time to explain to your child how you are feeling and how you could have better expressed yourself.3

Fostering a child’s emotional intelligence will positively affect their classroom engagement, their ability to pay attention, and their relationships with teachers as well as other students. An emotionally adept child will more easily regulate their own behaviors, which in turn will have a positive effect on their academic performance.

Academic Preparedness

Academic preparedness in the preschool years is critical before your child steps into their Kindergarten classroom. Children, specifically from the ages of 0-6 have an extraordinary disposition to learning. Maria Montessori coined the phrase “the absorbent mind” to refer to the capacity of a child’s mind to absorb information from their environment and shape their brains unconsciously. According to Montessori Philosophy, the absorbent mind allows the young child to experience periods of intense mental activity, “absorbing” learning from their environment naturally and spontaneously.

Engaging your child in activities at home to develop literacy and numeracy will prepare your child for Kindergarten success.  From identifying letters of the alphabet to learning to grip a pencil to counting numbers and classifying objects and colors, there are numerous skills your child can and should work on before entering Kindergarten. That said, don’t put too much pressure on your child, or on yourself – each child learns at their own pace and should not be compared.

You can find educational opportunities all around us in places like museums, zoos, parks, and libraries. Organic learning opportunities can promote your child’s readiness to learn within the classroom. 

Benefits of a Montessori Education for Kindergarten Readiness

The Montessori system of education is a child centered method of education that nurtures the child’s natural development by allowing children to work, develop, and learn at their own individual pace. Guided by qualified teachers in a carefully prepared classroom environment, children are encouraged to become independent, develop social/emotional maturity, learn academic skills through hands-on activities and cultivate a love of learning. This holistic approach of the Montessori method begins as early as toddler age and can give your child a head start for Kindergarten and elementary school years.

One of the key goals of Montessori education is to foster independence in children. With teachers acting as guides, children are given the freedom to choose learning activities, work independently at their own pace and assess their own learning progress. In Montessori, fostering independence is an ongoing process that begins in the preschool years.  As children learn to pour water, put on their own shoes or clean their workspace, they gradually become more confident and independent. 

Practical Life is one of the five Montessori learning areas and encompasses the activities of everyday life. The exercises of Practical Life are central to the Montessori method and involve care of self, care of the environment, grace and courtesy, and control of movement. From an early age, children in a Montessori classroom learn, practice, and master activities such as handwashing, learning how to lace, washing a table, peeling vegetables, taking care of plants, greeting someone, learning manners, body coordination and control).

Developing social/emotional maturity is an important aspect of Montessori education and is developed in a myriad of ways from mixed-age classrooms to small group learnings (called circle time) to the lessons in Grace and Courtesy (Practical Life). Mixed age classrooms are a signature element of a Montessori school and help children develop emotional and social maturity. Older children learn to help their younger peers and become role models, while younger children learn new concepts from the older child. 

The Montessori method lays a very strong foundation for academic preparation from the early years. Using hands-on materials and emphasizing higher order thinking, children in a Montessori environment are introduced to language, mathematics, geography, culture and science in an advanced, interdisciplinary way.  This instills in children a love for learning at an early age and prepares them for educational success. To learn more about the Montessori curriculum, click here.

Is your Child Ready?

Ultimately, Kindergarten readiness will present itself in a variety of ways. Each child is different and will take their own journey in their preparation for Kindergarten. Rather than trying to maximize your child’s readiness in all areas, encourage them to learn from their peers. Your child’s classroom will be full of students with varying strengths, and at CMMS, we recognize that those differences should be celebrated. As they approach Kindergarten-age, continue to assess your child’s independence, practical skills, and overall preparedness. We’re here to help get your child ready for Kindergarten and beyond with our Pre-Primary Program (ages 2-4) and our Primary Program (3.5-6). Interested in our Kindergarten Program? Learn more!

The post Benefits of A Montessori Education In Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten first appeared on Children's Manor Montessori School.

1    https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/first-things/kindergarten-readiness-developing-independence/
2    https://childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Child_Trends-2012_11_27_RB_Defining.pdf
3    https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/mar2017/teaching-emotional-intelligence
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3 Reasons to Enroll your Preschooler in a Summer Program https://childrensmagnet.com/3-reasons-to-enroll-your-preschooler-in-a-summer-program/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3-reasons-to-enroll-your-preschooler-in-a-summer-program Tue, 23 May 2023 18:11:46 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12421 As the summer approaches, parents of preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students are often faced with the question of how to keep their children engaged in meaningful activities during the break from their regular school routines. While rest and relaxation during the summer months is an important component of maintaining overall health and wellbeing, we do encourage families to keep their child in an educational setting over the summer to maintain their overall development during the summer months.

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As the summer approaches, parents of preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students are often faced with the question of how to keep their children engaged in meaningful activities during the break from their regular school routines. While rest and relaxation during the summer months is an important component of maintaining overall health and wellbeing, we do encourage families to keep their child in an educational setting over the summer to maintain their overall development during the summer months. Below are three compelling reasons why enrolling your preschooler in a Montessori summer program can be a beneficial choice.

1. Promotes Continuity of Learning

 

Even at such a young age, a summer break can result in a loss of momentum in a child’s learning progress. Research has shown that summer learning loss (the loss of skills and knowledge over extended summer breaks) can impact students of all ages. Our educational summer programs play an important role in continuing the growth and development of a student’s social-emotional and academic skills and knowledge. The additional time in a Montessori learning environment can provide students with the needed support to get over an educational hurdle or even boost their passion for a certain subject.  Overall, enrolling your child in a Montessori summer program can help promote ongoing learning and prevent this “summer slide.” 

Montessori programs are designed to provide a structured and engaging learning environment that fosters a child’s curiosity and strengthens their love for learning. Through hands-on activities and individualized instruction, Montessori summer programs help reinforce and build upon the skills and concepts that your child has learned during the regular school year: this consistency in their learning environment can contribute to your child’s long term academic success and help them maintain their cognitive, social, and emotional development during the summer months when so many other areas of their lives may be less structured.  

In addition to academic benefits, a summer program can help to deepen the social connections between students with fun interactions and positive memories made together. Things like summer water play days or exploring the natural animal habitats on a Zoo field trip can allow students to gain valuable experiences they may not otherwise have the opportunity to explore.

2. Encourages Independence and Self-Directed Learning

 

Montessori education is known for its emphasis on promoting independence and self-directed learning. Montessori summer programs continue this tradition by providing opportunities for preschoolers to develop and practice important life skills, such as self-care, decision-making, and problem-solving. In a Montessori program, children are encouraged to explore and choose their activities based on their interests and abilities, allowing them to take ownership of their learning journey. This sense of independence and self-directed learning can boost a preschooler’s confidence, motivation, and resilience, which are all vital qualities for lifelong learning success.

At CMMS, our themed weeks have something for everyone and will expose students to everything from music around the world to outer space exploration to fun and fitness. These engaging themes aim to capture a wide-variety of topics to introduce students to new concepts while reviewing the foundational age-appropriate concepts already covered during the academic year. Because students who attend a summer program have a solid routine throughout the summer months, their transition back to school in August is typically much easier for both the student and parents as they move into the new school year.

Children that are given the freedom of choice in a Montessori classroom are more likely to:

        • Develop a confidence they will carry into new situations all their lives.
        • Achieve his or her individual learning potential.
        • Build self-sufficiency and independence.
        • Develop a sense of purpose and self-motivation.

 

While enrolling in a Montessori Summer Program is a great way to start your child on this path, there are also plenty of ways that you can sustain the Montessori mindset throughout the summer at home – check out our top tips here.

3. Provides a Rich Learning Environment

 

Montessori summer programs offer a rich and stimulating learning environment that is carefully prepared to meet the developmental needs of young children. Montessori materials and activities are designed to promote hands-on learning and fully engage the senses, which can enhance a child’s understanding and retention of concepts. In a Montessori summer program, preschoolers have access to a variety of Montessori materials and activities, such as sensorial activities, practical life lessons, language and literacy materials, and math manipulatives, which work together to provide a solid foundation for a student’s cognitive, social, and emotional development. Furthermore, Montessori summer programs incorporate frequent outdoor activities, nature exploration, and cultural enrichment, which foster a well-rounded education and help your child develop a sense of appreciation and respect for the wider world around them.

In conclusion, enrolling your preschooler in an educational Montessori summer program can be a wise investment in their education and overall development. Montessori summer programs promote continuity of learning, encourage independence and self-directed learning, and provide a rich learning environment that can further enhance your child’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

If you are looking for a Summer Program for your child, Children’s Manor & Magnet Montessori Schools Summer Program runs from June 26 through August 25.

For more information about how Children’s Manor & Magnet Montessori Schools can impact your child’s education and future, you can learn more about CMMS & schedule a tour or visit us at an upcoming open house

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Math and Language in the Montessori Classroom https://childrensmagnet.com/math-and-language-in-the-montessori-classroom/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=math-and-language-in-the-montessori-classroom Wed, 26 Apr 2023 21:15:07 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12218 Math and language materials in the Montessori classroom produce many tangible results, such as the concrete understanding of place value and the decimal system, recognition of sounds and the eventual ability to read. The skills needed for mastery of these activities are reinforced and encouraged throughout the entire classroom.

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The different academic areas within a Montessori classroom are keys that unlock a world of learning, growth, and understanding for students. Social/emotional, physical, and cognitive development (i.e.; the whole child) are all targeted within these areas.  The math and language materials produce many tangible results, such as the concrete understanding of place value and the decimal system, recognition of sounds and the eventual ability to read. The skills needed for mastery of these activities are reinforced and encouraged throughout the entire classroom. 

Understanding within the math and language areas is interdependent upon how the practical life, sensorial, and cultural areas build upon one another at various sensitive periods of learning. Throughout this blog you will be shown the importance of the hands-on materials that lead to the ability to visualize and comprehend abstract math approaches, and gain a thorough understanding of the language found in the world around us each day. 

Montessori’s Abstract Approach to Mathematics

Some individuals think that math is instinctively feared or disliked by children, however, Montessori classrooms prove otherwise. There are four main tendencies at work at this time in a young child’s mind, which are directly associated with mathematics and guide the mathematical mind. These tendencies are those of 

      • Order
      • Exactness
      • Abstraction
      • Calculation

 

Montessori materials are geared towards meeting and fulfilling these natural tendencies within the child. Practical life exercises address order, progression, sequencing, exactness, eventual abstraction, and calculation. Sensorial works lay a foundation for the development of the mathematical mind as they are precise, exact, and embody something that is abstract; they aid in the development of thinking from the concrete to the abstract, which is the same course taken when teaching mathematics in Montessori. 

The math area in a Montessori classroom begins by working with the numbers 1-10 and the concept of zero, thus forming an understanding of the base ten system. Sandpaper numerals, number rods, spindle boxes, cards and counters, and memory games all strengthen the knowledge of and comfort with 0-10. Once this foundational building block is firmly ensconced in the student’s understanding, the decimal system is introduced.  Unit beads, ten bars, hundred squares, and thousand cubes are held and compared, providing a tactile, as well as aesthetic representation of what is commonly presented in other teaching methods in an abstract way. Decimal cards are then introduced and paired with the bead material to solidify the concept of association of symbol and quantity. Arithmetical operations are introduced once the concept of the decimal system is firmly understood. And as with any concept or subject area taught in a Montessori classroom, each child is followed and learns at their own pace. 

Montessori’s Appreciation of Language

 

The language area is full of beauty and wonder. Language itself is a means to express thoughts, share culture, and pass along wisdom. It is a creative act with beauty, form, and structure. Every area within a Montessori classroom is alive with language, fulfilling the needs of the sensitive period in which the child is immersed. Montessori uses a language approach which is holistic; it is based on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and is rooted in an individual’s experience. 

The sensorial area holds many keys to future reading and writing skills. The student’s eye is trained to distinguish form, and perceptual and manipulative skills are sharpened through the use of the pink tower, constructive triangles, geometric solids, and geometric cabinet. Several materials emphasize shape, which is indirect preparation for reading and writing skills, as shape is the defining characteristic of each letter of the alphabet. Strong listening skills, which are imperative to learn letter sounds, are developed through the sound cylinders, silence game, and bells, to name just a few.

The hand must be prepared to write between 2.5-3.5 years of age, and the child needs certain manual and mental skills to master this critical skill. The ability to hold a pencil, trace a line, perform lightness of touch, and adapt the movement of the hand in an available space are all needed in order to begin writing. These skills are enhanced through various materials in other areas across the Montessori classroom, such as practical life grasping work, and sensorial knobbed cylinders, as well as sandpaper letters and metal insets from the language area. The grasp of words, the ability to visualize corresponding letter shapes, express ideas, and the order in which to present those ideas are all necessary mental skills that are developed over time through these activities.

Both the eyes and ears will also need to be trained prior to reading. Matching work refines visual acuity, rhyming work refines aural acuity, opposites and positional work define purpose and space – all of these materials are pre-reading activities. Encoding, or recognizing the sounds within words and their order, comes before reading, as well. The moveable alphabet is a tool used to build words, beginning with three letter phonetic ones, or CVC words, (consonant, vowel, consonant). 

Reading is more complex than writing. The student has to phonetically sound out each word (letter sounds rather than names are taught to make this process easier), as well as synthesize sounds to make a word, and interpret the word’s meaning. 

Mechanical reading (sounding out a word and comprehending it) is step one in the reading process. Total reading is next; it is divided into two parts: level 1 involves phonetic reading, while level 2 begins with phonograms (two letters making one sound: ‘sh’, ‘oy’, etc) and leads into sentence commands, definition, spelling, and dictation.  

The Montessori language curriculum teaches to the individual student, and focuses on problem solving. It is process oriented, strength-based, and encourages independent learning.  Every area within a Montessori classroom is alive with language to take advantage of the sensitive period for language, which is longer than most other periods of development in a young student. 

Learning math and language skills is not limited to classroom time; there are many enriching and fun activities that families can do to build these skills. Cooking and basic food prep are great ways to incorporate newfound math skills, as are various card games. Reading daily to your child, having discussions and verbal exchanges, playing I Spy (or more advanced games such as Upwords or Boggle for readers) and singing songs that rhyme and/or are repetitive are just a handful of ways in which to augment the language skills your child is learning at school daily.

For more information about how Children’s Manor & Magnet Montessori Schools can impact your child’s education and future, you can learn more about CMMS & schedule a tour or visit us at an upcoming open house

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6 Tips Montessori Parents Need to Know https://childrensmagnet.com/6-tips-montessori-parents-need-to-know/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-tips-montessori-parents-need-to-know Fri, 31 Mar 2023 15:49:18 +0000 https://childrensmagnet.com/?p=12256 Here are 6 tips Montessori parents need to know.

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We recently answered 6 of our most commonly asked questions by parents about their child’s Montessori education, including approaches to supporting healthy emotions, and how to continue the Montessori philosophy at home. Here are 6 tips Montessori parents need to know.

Navigating the School Transition Process/Transition to Montessori School

 

Students in a Montessori classroom experience a ‘normalization’ period in which they grow familiar with the different areas of the classroom, understand the daily routines and what activities are available to them, and become excited to interact with and learn alongside their peers.

Navigating the transition process to a Montessori school is different for every child because every child is unique. To make sure your child’s first day at a Montessori school goes as smoothly as possible, you should actively support the normalization process by positively communicating what they can expect to experience. This positive attitude is contagious: if you verbally and physically express to your child that you are excited for their first day of attending a Montessori school, chances are they will be too. Your child feeds off of your energy, so make sure it’s calm and engaged.  

Talk with your Child about their First Day at a Montessori School

The first day of Montessori school is different for every child. Some children have never been to school before and there are others who have a very difficult time transitioning out of their regular routine at home and into a school environment. 

When talking to your child about their first day at a Montessori school, let them know they will be attending a new school along with new teachers and classmates. Reassure your child that you will do your best to help familiarize them with the school, the classroom, and their future teacher by visiting the school or meeting their teacher ahead of time. You can do this by scheduling a tour, attending an open house, or communicating with the school administration to set up a visit. The more knowledge you have about your child’s day, the better you can prepare them by talking through what to expect.

At CMMS, we provide parents with daily student activity and schedules, information about our Montessori Links curriculum, and offer virtual and in-person tours. To learn more about our programming at CMMS, request a tour today. 

Transitioning out of a Montessori School

 

If your child is leaving a Montessori school to transition to a regular school, they will face a few new changes from what they typically experience in a Montessori school.  That might include getting used to eating in a large and/or noisy cafeteria full of students, riding a bus to and from school, or participating in gym class. Children who leave CMMS and attend other schools tend to be the leaders of their classroom, always eager to learn new material, and flexible in different learning environments. Our students adjust outside of a Montessori classroom because we have dedicated time to practical skills such as preparing them to be socially developed, confident, curious, and independent with a strong sense of self-esteem.

Remember, every child is different and so each student will adjust to a new school on their own timetable. As you listen and support them, be sure to acknowledge what your child is feeling or going through – it is important to be empathetic to your child and understand how they are feeling during the transition in order to find the best way to support them.

Encourage Montessori Learning at Home

 

Learning is not limited to a classroom – that’s why we encourage parents to continue Montessori learning at home! When Montessori learning is encouraged at home, there is a bridge of continuity from home to school which helps children feel secure and engaged in an ongoing learning journey. 

You can encourage Montessori learning at home by using practical life skills through chores to build responsibility and independent habits, talking with your child about the Montessori curriculum they are currently studying, and/or creating spaces in your home that are a prepared and child-accessible environment which encourages children to engage with and care for the environment around them. 

Incorporating what your child has learned at school into your daily routine will help them develop competence, independence, and confidence. Want to learn more about bringing Montessori into your home? Check out our Montessori at Home blog!

Guide your Child to Follow Directions at Home

 

Does your child follow directions at school, but not at home? While it can be frustrating for you and your child to work through this issue together, remember we all respond better when we feel we have input or choice in a situation we are affected by.

A reason your child may follow the directions at school and not home is because children experience peer pressure at school, which can be both positive and negative. At CMMS, our teachers guide and support students to cooperatively work together and collaborate on lessons and activities.  When children see other children behaving in a positive way and reaping those positive rewards they are encouraged to model similar behaviors.  In Montessori, almost everything has a consequence and while there is a lot of freedom, every freedom has a limit and the child is conscious of those boundaries. Children can trust an adult when they know there will be the same consequence every-time if something goes wrong: for example, if they drop and spill a drink, they will be asked to help clean it up. The child then learns that pattern of consequence and it is easier for the child to follow through with what is asked of them. Through patience, practice, and repetition we encourage students to consistently listen and respond to what’s asked of them. 

You Can Prevent Tantrums

Tantrums can be very common in young children since they cannot always fully verbalize their emotions. Here are some simple ways you can help prevent your child from having a tantrum.

      • If you sense your child is starting to have a tantrum you should stay calm and offer the option of a hug: this tangible connection to your love and support can help an emotional child to pause and regulate themselves. 
      • If your child is actively having a tantrum, you should stay calm, acknowledge your child’s emotions, and maintain safety boundaries.  For example you might say, “I can see that you are very upset right now.  It’s okay to be upset and angry, but it’s not okay to hit people. So I’m going to take a step back to stay safe, but I’m right here with you, and will give you a hug when you’re ready.”  This process of naming emotions and identifying appropriate reactions takes time and patience as your child will begin to understand you are consistently there for them when they cannot verbally express their emotions and are a safe space to process what they’re feeling.

 

Toilet-Training: How we do it at CMMS

 

There is no universal age when all children are ready and able to use the toilet independently but in the Montessori environment we encourage even young children to be involved in the diapering and potty training process, to promote their understanding and eventual independence in the process. So even a 15 month old child might help pick up their diaper and bring it over to the changing table.

You will know when your child is ready to begin toilet training when they show interest in others’ use of the toilet, have a dry diaper for a longer period of time, verbalize their need to go, or have the ability to remove their own clothing to use the toilet.

Your child has shown interest in using the toilet, now what? It is time to encourage their independence by providing them with a child-sized toilet or a stool to reach the regular toilet, and placing clothes in the bathroom for them to change into if an accident occurs.  These steps will boost your child’s sense of ownership in the process.  Your child should be encouraged to wear clothing they can easily get in and out of: tight jeans, dresses with lots of layers,..ect are not a great idea during this training period.  We also encourage families to incorporate toileting into their child’s routine to take advantage of the times they would normally need to go (ex: upon waking, before going outside, after coming in from outside, after lunch/before nap, etc).

Accidents happen and sometimes your child simply won’t make it in time. At CMMS, we encourage parents to stay calm and be reassuring to your child. We don’t want students to be embarrassed of an accident, so we simply say  “I see you are wet. Let’s go get some dry clothes.”  It can be helpful to keep a bucket in the bathroom for wet clothing, so your child can promptly change into clean, dry clothes and try again.  If you remain consistent and don’t make a big deal out of the accident, toilet-training can continue on until it’s a normal part of their day.

Language and phrases that you can use for your child’s toilet-training are:
      • “You’re so stable now. Let’s try standing for your diaper today.”
      • “It is time to use the toilet.” (rather than asking, “Do you want to use the toilet”)
      • ”Your pants look wet. It’s time to change your clothes.”

Consistency in language and routine between the home and school environment helps make completing the toilet training process easier and quicker, setting the students up for success. Consider incorporating our routine cards into your day to help encourage independence in your child’s daily routine. 

We hope these 6 tips will help you become a confident Montessori parent! 

Additional Resources

Have more questions? Prepare them for our Year-End Montessori Parent Q & A on May 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM and register to attend today! 

For more information about how Children’s Manor & Magnet Montessori Schools can impact your child’s education and future, you can learn more about CMMS & schedule a tour or visit us at an upcoming open house

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